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Monday, 22 May 2017

Well this is it ladies and gentlemen - the final edition of TLFG for the 2016/17 season.

It's been another hectic year and generally a very good one for London football. Did you know that for the first time ever London clubs have claimed the top two spots in the top division and provided both FA Cup finalists?

He was promoting his fine book on the history of London football which I would highly recommend you read if finding out about such a topic interests you.

The event brought the festival to a close after several nights of discussion and debate at Waterstones bookshop on Tottenham Court Road. Did you go to any of the sessions?

On Saturday, Steve was also joined by fellow sports journalists Mina Rzouki, Jacob Steinberg and Philippe Auclair who covered a huge range of subjects concerning the past, present and future of football in the capital. I even got a question in about non-league football and its chances of future success.

I'd never been to any kind of literary festival before but this was right up my street and look forward to the next one.

Get your copy of Steve's book here

My Sunday was completely taken up by Non-League Finals Day (NLFD) at Wembley where visitors get to watch the finals of the FA Vase and FA Trophy back-to-back.

Last year was the first time the two had been played together on the same day and there were a few teething problems, particularly the management of the two-hour break between games where fans were kept inside the stadium and little provision was made for them.

This year, the lock-in continued but the facilities were a lot better. Food and drink was in good supply which definitely wasn't the case last year, there were pop-up pubs with sofas, tables etc showing live Sky coverage of the final day of the Premier League season and there were various other entertainments like table football and football freestylers to keep people amused.

It was also great to see the amount of neutral supporters on the concourses in their various kits and strips and the general bonhomie between them. In my section, primarily for Cleethorpes fans, I spotted a diverse collection including Romford, Billericay, Brighton, Man Utd, Chester and Grimsby. There were also quite a few people in various German club tops like Hertha and Hamburg and I even spotted an FC Copenhagen one. It is more and more people like these that will ensure this event stays at Wembley and thrives there as the competing clubs alone will probably never fill out the stadium completely.

The attendance of 38,224 was down on last year but that was always likely to be the case after former Football League club Hereford brought 20,000 fans to the FA Vase final to slightly skew things last time around. However, it was higher than the crowds at Burnley, Hull, Leicester, Southampton, Swansea and Watford who were all completing their Premier League campaigns at the same time.

The matches themselves produced an impressive haul of nine goals. South Shields, the best supported side on the day, were expected to start as favourites against Cleethorpes Town and duly dominated a game which they went on to win 4-0. Although they had plenty of chances, they were only leading 1-0 until the latter stages when Clee conceded a second and then collapsed in the final five minutes. Despite the drubbing, Cleethorpes' goalkeeper Liam Higton was absolutely superb, pulling off numerous saves from all angles as the Mariners pushed for victory.

The FA Trophy provided a much more balanced and entertaining game with Macclesfield and York serving up a five-goal thriller. Having suffered a heartbreaking relegation on the final day of the league season, the Minstermen came into the game as underdogs but with veteran heavyweight striker Jon Parkin (previously of Preston North End) up front they had a chance.

And it was he who gave them a surprise lead with a deft header after the Silkmen had made the brighter start. It didn't last long though as Macclesfield quickly equalised and the game opened up.

Macclesfield go in search of an equaliser against York at Wembley

York took the lead again before the goal of the day arrived right on the stroke of half-time when Ollie Norburn crashed a shot into the roof of the net from 25 yards which brought many to their feet.

The second half was more cagey and extra-time looked highly likely until Parkin caused havoc in the penalty area again and with his partially blocked shot looping towards goal, substitute Aidan Connolly poked it over the line to grab victory.

It brought a fine end to a generally fine day.

NLFD still isn't quite perfect. The lock-in imposed by Wembley is annoying as it means fans that do attend for both games are looking at at least a six-hour stay inside the stadium. This is tricky if you've got young kids and pretty challenging for smokers who are strictly forbidden, officially, from lighting up.

It also discourages fans of teams in the second game from turning up early as once you're in, you're in. Staying in neighbouring pubs and restaurants outside the ground which may well be cheaper is a far more attractive option for many.

As I said before, the future success of this event is going to depend on how much it appeals to neutrals. I've also mentioned many times before, that club rugby matches at Wembley frequently come close to selling out because of the rugby community's willingness to get behind big events and support their game no matter who is playing. The non-league community need to develop that too. There are certainly enough of us out there so it should be possible but it will take time.

It is a fun day out, there were loads of families present and the atmosphere is relaxed - the support was passionate but I don't remember any real taunting of the opposition, it was largely positive backing of their own players.

So that's it for another year. I'm going to take this week and June off and intend to get going again around 2 July.

To mark your card, the Emirates Cup returns this summer with Arsenal hosting Benfica, RB Leipzig and Sevilla over a weekend at the end of July. Tickets for this go on general sale on 7 June and usually sell out fairly quickly so put the date in your diary if it appeals.

Crystal Palace have also announced a friendly against German giants Schalke in early August - tickets are on sale now.

Fixtures for the new season in the Premier League are released on 14 June while those for the EFL come out a week later on 21 June. Non-league fixtures usually follow in July.

With my summer holiday coming in mid-July I don't have anything big planned for June but if you're off to the Champions League final or Euro U21s in Poland have a great time.

Finally, I'd like to give a huge thanks to all of you for reading and all of those who have contributed with ground reviews, photos, comments and questions - its what makes it all worthwhile.

I look forward to welcoming you all back again in July.

THE WEEK AHEAD

There are only 6 matches in the London area over the next few days with the FA Cup final and two EFL play-off final among the highlights.

However, please make sure you check with clubs before you traveljust in case a game has been called offor venue has been changed. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.

Details on all of this week's games can be found on the following match maps. If you've never used them before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the drop down menu at the top of the map page to make sure you get all the information. Games are listed from top to bottom in date order so Monday's games (yellow pin) will appear first and Sunday's (white pin) last. Games are also ranked in terms of status so the higher the division, the higher up the list they will appear on each day.

Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.

It should also be noted that the top four levels are for fully professional teams. Level 5 has a mixture of professional and semi-professional teams, while Levels 6-10 will see most players paid but it will vary from no more than travel expenses at the bottom, right up to several hundred pounds a week at the top (e.g. clubs in the National League South).

In the following section I list, by day, what are in my opinion the most notable games of the week and give some brief reasons for my choice. Check the maps above for kick-off times, ticket info and directions.Saturday 27 May

FA Cup FinalArsenal v Chelsea @530pm - the season comes to an end for our local top-flight teams with this fantastic showpiece game at Wembley. For any American readers, this match is probably the closest equivalent we have to the Super Bowl. The Gunners will be using it as a chance to save their season after failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years. If they win, it will be the third time in four years and will make them the most successful club in the history of this famous competition. The Blues, on the other hand, will be going for the double after already bagging the Premier League title. Tickets have sold out so your only route is likely to be hospitality, agencies or the black market - in other words £££ will be required!

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Sunday 28 MayChelsea victory parade
Whether or not Antonio Conte's side complete the double on Saturday, they will be parading the Premier League trophy around the streets of Chelsea and Fulham at the very least. The procession will head off from Stamford Bridge at midday and finish on Eel Brook Common. Full details can be found here - UPDATE: EVENT CANCELLED

League Two Play-Off FinalBlackpool v Exeter City @3pm - after two thrilling semi-finals we have been handed this final at Wembley. Given their huge issues off the pitch this season, it's been quite an achievement by Blackpool to have made it this far. A Premier League side as recently as 2011, the last few years have been turbulent to say the least as the fans and board have fallen out spectacularly after various problems which are still ongoing. In contrast, the Grecians have been the model of stability with boss Paul Tisdale having managed the side since 2006 as they have yo-yoed between what is now the National League and League One. Blackpool picked up a win and a draw from the two league games between them this season so might be slight favourites. Tickets are on general sale from both clubs - see their websites for details

FA Women's Super League 1Chelsea v Liverpool @1205pm - in another spectacular slight to women's football, Chelsea have scheduled the victory parade for their men's team at the same time as this huge game for the women's team. At the time of writing, these clubs are the top two in the Spring Series table and with reigning league champions Manchester City just behind them, it's crucial for both that they win

FA Women's Premier League Play-OffBlackburn Rovers v Tottenham Hotspur @2pm - the FAWPL effectively constitutes the third tier of women's football in England. The competition is split into two with a northern and southern division and the winners of each meet in this play-off match to decide who wins overall. This year, the game is being held at Charlton Athletic's ground where adult tickets will be £5

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Monday 29 MayChampionship Play-Off FinalHuddersfield Town v Reading @3pm - the domestic season in the men's game finally comes to an end at Wembley on Bank Holiday Monday with the highest stakes game possibly anywhere in the world. With bottom club Sunderland banking a whopping £99.9m in TV and prize money this season you can see why escaping the EFL is something all clubs want to do. Reading finished third so should start as marginal favourites. The Terriers have an illustrious history with three league titles and one FA Cup win but all were achieved way back in the 1920s and they've managed little of note since so a place in the Premier League would be particularly notable for them

--------------------------------------------------------------Wednesday 31 MayFA Women's Super League 1Arsenal v Reading @730pm - the Gunners' women's team bring TLFG's season to a close with this game at The Hive. Currently fourth and fifth, it's quite likely they could finish in those positions as the three above them are all so strong. This will also see the conclusion of the Super League's 'Spring Series' in the capital - the women's game will now take a break for the European Championships in July before reconvening in September for a whole new season

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GET INVOLVED

If you're going to see a game, whether you're a local or a visitor, please let me know what you've been up to. If you're interested in reviewing a ground within the London area for this blog then get in touch. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels.

Got any questions about visiting London? Don't hesitate to ask - be they football or more general travel/touristy queries.

You can contact TLFG through the comments section below or via Facebook, Twitter or even by good old email.

Arsenal are still outside the coveted top four places but go into their final two games with a fighting chance after stringing together three wins in seven days.

At the other end, Crystal Palace ensured their survival in the top flight with an emphatic 4-0 win over Hull City who they relegated in the process. With Watford and West Ham also keeping their heads above water, there will be no London relegations this season.

There is a chance there could be seven sides from the capital in the top flight next year as Fulham drew the first leg of their play-off with Reading 1-1 on Saturday. It's going to be tough at the Madejeski Stadium on Tuesday but it's wide open.

From a personal perspective, the huge thing for me was the news that Harrow Borough had been reprieved from relegation!

Having cruelly lost their Ryman League Premier Division status for the first time since the 1970s to a 98th-minute goal, it's a huge relief to know they'll be given another year in the seventh tier.

Sadly it's come about because Worcester City of the National League North (Level 6) have voluntarily decided to drop down three divisions for financial reasons. It's a shame this once great club have had to do this.

'Two Men In Search...' check out Thurrock in the Ryman League Division 1 North play-off final

Also this week, we see the London Festival of Football Writing. Several events with some top authors (including Michael Cox who has been known to peruse these pages) will be taking place at Waterstones bookshop on Tottenham Court Road between 16-20 May. Tickets and full information can be found on their website. I'm going to the session which is taking place on the final night.

After months of preparation and competition it's also time for Non-League Finals Dayat Wembley on Sunday. The FA Vase and FA Trophy finals are played back-to-back and tickets are just £25 for adults and £1 U16s which is great value so I hope to see you there. I think I'm going in the section for Cleethorpes Town supporters.

Lastly from me, I launched a new 'Books' section on TLFG during the week. There's a few relevant publications which I think are good and could be of interest to readers of this blog. It's not exhaustive by any means and I will add to it over the summer.

Before I sign off, there's also another fine piece this week from 'Two Men In Search Of The Beautiful Game'. Although not a visit to a London ground, it features local side Thurrock as they took on Maldon & Tiptree in the Ryman League Division 1 North play-off final - find out if they were successful...

THE WEEK AHEAD

There are only 12 matches, including two doubleheaders, in the London area over the next week with some crucial games in the Premier League, a play-off final and Non-League Finals Day among the highlights.

However, please make sure you check with clubs before you traveljust in case a game has been called offor venue has been changed. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.

Details on all of this week's games can be found on the following match maps. If you've never used them before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the drop down menu at the top of the map page to make sure you get all the information. Games are listed from top to bottom in date order so Monday's games (yellow pin) will appear first and Sunday's (white pin) last. Games are also ranked in terms of status so the higher the division, the higher up the list they will appear on each day.

Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.

It should also be noted that the top four levels are for fully professional teams. Level 5 has a mixture of professional and semi-professional teams, while Levels 6-10 will see most players paid but it will vary from no more than travel expenses at the bottom, right up to several hundred pounds a week at the top (e.g. clubs in the National League South).

In the following section I list, by day, what are in my opinion the most notable games of the week and give some brief reasons for my choice. Check the maps above for kick-off times, ticket info and directions.Monday 15 May

Premier LeagueChelsea v Watford @8pm - with the Blues winning the title on Friday and the Hornets safe from relegation for another season, there's little to play for in this derby other than pride. As has been said several times in recent weeks, this could free both sides up to play a very entertaining game completely devoid of pressure. The atmosphere should be celebratory from both sets of fans but sadly the Premier League trophy presentation won't happen until the weekend

FriendlyBrentford B v Manchester City U23 @7pm - the Bees are unusual in that they don't enter their reserve side in a league. Instead they arrange their own friendlies and they've come up with some big opponents this season with the likes of Bayern Munich, Valencia, Hamburg and domestic giants like Manchester United all fielding sides against them. For their final game they've managed to get City to come to Griffin Park. To top it all, admission to most of these games is free and this is no exception

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Tuesday 16 MayPremier LeagueArsenal v Sunderland @745pm - with the title race and relegation battle concluded, it's now all about the fight for Champions League places. Chelsea and Spurs have claimed two of the four places, meaning Arsenal now really need to win their final two games to have a chance of claiming one too. They're currently fifth, three points behind Manchester City so it's going to be tight. Sunderland are bottom with one win in 10 but with the pressure off, could be quite capable of embarrassing their hosts

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Wednesday 17 MayFA Women's Super League 1Chelsea v Arsenal @735pm - these two have been among the superpowers of women's football in England in recent years but they face a growing threat from Manchester City who won the league last season, the league cup in October and this season's FA Cup on Saturday - comprehensively beating Birmingham City 4-1. Chelsea have won their opening two games this season while the Gunners are unbeaten after three. Tickets for this game at Staines Town are £6 adults and £3 for everyone else

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Saturday 20 MayLeague One Play-Off FinalBradford City v Millwall @3pm - the first of the EFL play-off finals takes place at Wembley on Saturday as these two go head-to-head for a place in the Championship. Finishing fifth and sixth in the division, neither was supposed to make it this far but they have. Bradford are the bigger club and played in the Premier League as recently as 2001, they also sensationally made the League Cup final whilst still a League Two team in 2013. The Lions are no strangers to Wembley and this will be their fifth visit since the stadium re-opened in 2007. Three of those were also League One play-off finals including last year's which they lost to Barnsley. The last three games between Bradford and Millwall have ended in 1-1 draws so this could go to penalties. Tickets are available on general sale directly from each of the clubs

FA Women's Super League doubleheader
A short Tube ride to the north of Wembley, The Hive plays host to a couple of games from the FAWSL. Arsenal take on FA Cup finalists Birmingham City in a top-tier game at 1pm, before London Bees entertain second division leaders Everton at 4pm. Tickets are £9

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Sunday 21 MayPremier LeagueArsenal v Everton @3pm - the Gunners conclude their season with what could be a make or break game against the Toffees. As explained above, they need all the points they can get to try and make it into the top four and a place in the Champions League. Everton have had another solid season and will finish seventh whatever happens here. The last game between them, just before Christmas, saw the team from Merseyside win 2-1Chelsea v Sunderland @3pm - it's likely to be a case of top versus bottom on the final day at Stamford Bridge where the Blues could end their title winning campaign with a goalfeast. The highlight will be the official presentation of the Premier League trophyWatford v Manchester City @3pm - the Hornets don't have much to play for but they could have a huge impact on what goes on towards the top of the table as City look to clinch one of the final two Champions League places. It doesn't look too bright for the hosts though who have lost their last five against City in all competitions

Non-League Finals Day
With tickets likely to be hard to get or expensive for all of the above, why not head to Wembley for the annual end-of-season non-league showpiece? Kicking off with the FA Vase final between Cleethorpes Town and South Shields at 1215pm and concluding with the FA Trophy final between Macclesfield Town and York City at 415pm it provides an action packed day of football at the national stadium. Plenty of entertainment is being laid on on the concourses between games so you shouldn't get bored. Tickets for the whole day are £25 adults, £10 concessions and £1 U16s and can be bought in advance or on the day from the ticket office

GET INVOLVED

If you're going to see a game, whether you're a local or a visitor, please let me know what you've been up to. If you're interested in reviewing a ground within the London area for this blog then get in touch. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels.

Got any questions about visiting London? Don't hesitate to ask - be they football or more general travel/touristy queries.

You can contact TLFG through the comments section below or via Facebook, Twitter or even by good old email.

Sunday, 7 May 2017

Aside from the play-offs, the EFL season ended earlier today as the Championship became the final division to complete its fixtures.

With safety secured last week, I made the decision to head up to Norfolk to watch QPR take on Norwich City in a game that was of little consequence to either team.

I hadn't been to the city itself for about 30 years and had never been to a game there which is surprising given how easy it is to get to from London. With direct trains from Liverpool Street leaving regularly and taking two hours and the ground pretty much next to the station, it really is a good place to consider visiting if you're looking for somewhere new or your London match options aren't great.

It was also a chance to catch up with my oldest friend who moved to the area about 10 years ago. I'd kept in touch throughout that time but we hadn't seen each other at all so it was kind of strange meeting up again.

Thankfully, we both looked pretty much the same and the conversation flowed with ease had it always had. In the intervening years marriages and children had materialised and we'd both mellowed but essentially we were still the same.

Anyway, enough about my boring personal stuff and onto the action.

Carrow Road is a fine ground in a good location with a capacity of around 30,000 and it was largely full for this end of season send off.

Sadly, from my perspective, QPR appeared to have ended their season last week as Norwich ran riot in the opening stages with one shot being cleared off the line, another saved and another hitting the bar all in what seemed like the first five minutes!

The only surprise about Norwich's deflected opening goal was that it took over 20 minutes to come - they should have been out of sight by then.

It looked as if that profligacy might cost them when Rangers had a shot tipped onto the woodwork in the dying seconds of the half as it stayed 1-0 at the interval.

The second half seemed more open as substitutions shook things up a bit but ultimately it was the hosts who were far more clinical as they eased away to a 4-0 win which flattered QPR - it could easily have been double.

With seven defeats from their final eight games, Ian Holloway's side finished 18th just two points above the relegation zone. His overall win record in recent years with Crystal Palace, Millwall and now QPR is pretty poor and many fans are tonight calling for his head on forums all over the internet. I have to say I wouldn't miss him if he did go but I am, perhaps rashly, prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Elsewhere in the division, from a London perspective, Fulham made it into the play-offs and have what is effectively a derby against Reading in the semi-finals.

Also on Sunday, Millwall secured a place in the League One play-off final at Wembley with a thrilling 3-2 win at Scunthorpe.

Sadly for Dagenham & Redbridge, Forest Green Rovers got the better of them in the National League play-offs and in the National League South both Dartford and Hampton & Richmond Borough bowed out at the semi-final stage too.

I heard reports from readers that the charity match between Peckham Town and Somaliland on Saturday went well with over £600 being raised. This Saturday at 230pm, Peckham's U21 side will be hosting the U18s from QPR in another eye-catching fixture at the Menace Arena so get down to Dulwich Common if that appeals to you.

It also came to my attention the other day that the London Festival of Football Writing is coming up next week. Several events with some top authors (including Michael Cox who has been known to peruse these pages) will be taking place at Waterstones bookshop on Tottenham Court Road between 16-20 May. Tickets and full information can be found on their website.

I think that's about it from me. Once again, if you're around, please consider coming to Wembley for Non-League Finals Dayon 21 May - two cup finals back-to-back for £25 is great value so I hope to see you there.

THE WEEK AHEAD

There are only 17 matches in the London area over the next week with some crucial games in the Premier League and some play-off matches in the EFL and National League among the highlights.

However, please make sure you check with clubs before you traveljust in case a game has been called offor venue has been changed. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.

Details on all of this week's games can be found on the following match maps. If you've never used them before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the drop down menu at the top of the map page to make sure you get all the information. Games are listed from top to bottom in date order so Monday's games (yellow pin) will appear first and Sunday's (white pin) last. Games are also ranked in terms of status so the higher the division, the higher up the list they will appear on each day.

Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.

It should also be noted that the top four levels are for fully professional teams. Level 5 has a mixture of professional and semi-professional teams, while Levels 6-10 will see most players paid but it will vary from no more than travel expenses at the bottom, right up to several hundred pounds a week at the top (e.g. clubs in the National League South).

In the following section I list, by day, what are in my opinion the most notable games of the week and give some brief reasons for my choice. Check the maps above for kick-off times, ticket info and directions.Monday 8 May

Premier LeagueChelsea v Middlesbrough @8pm - on paper it doesn't look like the most thrilling match up but the result could be huge for both teams. A win will give the Blues an almost unassailable seven-point lead at the top with three games to go and will relegate Boro in the process - hopefully that fact will make the visitors fight that bit harder but you feel it would be delaying the inevitable even if they did manage to win

Premier League 2Arsenal v Manchester United @7pm - if you can't get a ticket for the above then why not head to the Emirates instead for this attractive looking U23 game? This is the last match of the season for the Gunners' youngsters and a win will see them finish fourth. United have had a poor campaign but have done enough to avoid relegation. Tickets are only £4 but must be bought online by 3pm on Monday - no tickets will be available on the night

Professional Development League play-off semi-finalCharlton Athletic v Hull City @7pm - the PDL effectively makes up the third tier of U23 football in England. It's split into a northern and southern division and the top two from each play-off before the winners meet in the final. Millwall or Sheffield Wednesday await the winners. Tickets for this match, at The Valley, are available on the gate and are only £3

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Saturday 13 MayChampionship play-off final first legFulham v Reading @530pm - the match of the day takes place at Craven Cottage and it has the potential to be a real humdinger. With Reading being located not far to the west of London, this is pretty much a derby so the atmosphere should be good. Although the Royals finished third, it is Fulham who are seen by many as favourites as they enter the post season with the best form of the four teams still standing. With five wins and a draw from their last six and with the knowledge they thrashed the Berkshire club 5-0 on their last visit back in December, it's looking pretty promising for Slavisa Jokanovic and his side

FA Women's Cup FinalBirmingham City v Manchester City @515pm - reigning Super League champions Man City should start as favourites in this showpiece match of the women's game at Wembley. The two clubs' league campaigns have only just begun and saw them draw 1-1 earlier this week. With tickets a snip at £15 for adults and free for kids, this represents a great value day out at the national stadium

Combined Counties Leaue Division 1 Cup FinalAC London v Redhill @3pm - there's another bit of silverware up for grabs over near Heathrow airport where these two 10th-tier teams look to end the season on a high at Bedfont & Feltham's ground

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Sunday 14 MayPremier LeagueCrystal Palace v Hull City @12pm - two clubs threatened with the drop meet for this relegation six-pointer at high noon. Big Sam looked to have done enough to have saved Palace a couple of weeks ago but three defeats in quick succession have left them four points clear with two games to go. Hull will start the game in the bottom three and could find themselves relegated if they fail to win and other results go against themWest Ham United v Liverpool @215pm - with that game out of the way, focus moves to Stratford where West Ham will look to dent Liverpool's hopes of a top-four finish. The Hammers' fine win over Spurs on Friday secured their place in the division for another year so they have little to play for other than prideTottenham Hotspur v Manchester United @430pm - a Super Sunday of London football comes to a close at White Hart Lane with what could be Tottenham's last throw of the dice in this year's title race. If Chelsea beat West Brom the night before then they will win the league but anything else will keep Spurs in it - just. The visitors will badly need to win to stay in the hunt for a Champions League place

National League Promotion FinalForest Green Rovers v Tranmere Rovers @3pm - after overcoming Dagenham & Redbridge in the semi-finals, FGR head to Wembley for the second year running as they look to claim a place in the EFL for the very first time. The Gloucestershire club have been among the contenders to go up for several years but always miss out. Tranmere, the former League Cup finalists and second-tier side not that long ago, should provide formidable opposition though and will be expected to bring thousands more spectators. The Merseyside club are also in better form, notably stuffing midtable Solihull Moors 9-0 a month ago!

GET INVOLVED

If you're going to see a game, whether you're a local or a visitor, please let me know what you've been up to. If you're interested in reviewing a ground within the London area for this blog then get in touch. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels.

Got any questions about visiting London? Don't hesitate to ask - be they football or more general travel/touristy queries.

You can contact TLFG through the comments section below or via Facebook, Twitter or even by good old email.

During the week just gone, many of you got to enjoy the Ryman League play-offs which produced some epic games. Dorking Wanderers, who had finished joint top of the Ryman League Division 1 South with a whopping 105 points, were the first to go up on Saturday but they were taken to penalties in the semi-finals by Hastings and Corinthian Casuals in the final.

Thurrock caused a bit of an upset by beating Maldon & Tiptree in the Division 1 North final and at the time of writing, we're still waiting for the Premier Division final between Bognor and Dulwich to get underway - good luck to all involved at the Hamlet.

Egham Town made the Southern League play-offs but fell at the first hurdle against Farnborough - nevertheless, it was still a fine achievement by the Sarnies to get there for a second consecutive season.

From a personal point of view, after the disappointment of seeing Harrow Borough get relegated last week, it was a huge relief to see QPR avoid the drop by beating Nottingham Forest 2-0. This means we have an end-of-season dead rubber to enjoy at Norwich next Sunday which I am currently planning to attend. Despite Carrow Road being a very easy ground to get to, I've never previously been so I'm looking forward to ticking it off the list.

Before I forget, there's a special fundraiser taking place in south London on Saturday where Peckham Town take on Somaliland in a friendly. Entry is by donation with all proceeds going to good causes. See the club's website for more detials.

I think that's about it from me. Once again, if you're around, please consider coming to Wembley for Non-League Finals Dayon 21 May - two cup finals back-to-back for £25 is great value so I hope to see you there.

THE WEEK AHEAD

There are only 27 matches in the London area over the next week with games in the Premier League, EFL, National League and several minor league and county cup competitions.

However, please make sure you check with clubs before you traveljust in case a game has been called offor venue has been changed. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.

Details on all of this week's games can be found on the following match maps. If you've never used them before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the drop down menu at the top of the map page to make sure you get all the information. Games are listed from top to bottom in date order so Monday's games (yellow pin) will appear first and Sunday's (white pin) last. Games are also ranked in terms of status so the higher the division, the higher up the list they will appear on each day.

Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.

It should also be noted that the top four levels are for fully professional teams. Level 5 has a mixture of professional and semi-professional teams, while Levels 6-10 will see most players paid but it will vary from no more than travel expenses at the bottom, right up to several hundred pounds a week at the top (e.g. clubs in the National League South).

In the following section I list, by day, what are in my opinion the most notable games of the week and give some brief reasons for my choice. Check the maps above for kick-off times, ticket info and directions.Tuesday 2 May

Professional Development LeagueCrystal Palace v Bristol City @1pm - the pick of the day's action is this U23 match at Selhust Park which provides you with a great opportunity to visit a Premier League ground for only £5

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Wednesday 3 MayProfessional Development LeagueWatford v Cardiff City @2pm - start the day with a bit of U23 football at Vicarage Road, you can then move on to one of the far more significant games listed below in the eveningNational League South play-off semi-final first legHampton & Richmond Borough v Ebbsfleet United @745pm - the hosts finished the campaign in seventh but still managed to qualify for the play-offs as the two teams above them were found to have grounds that weren't suitable for promotion. In Ebbsfleet they face a team who missed out on the title by only two points so should provide formidable opposition. However, the two meetings between them during the regular season ended in 1-1 draws so it should be close again

London Senior Cup FinalCray Valley PM v Metropolitan Police @745pm - Cray come into this match very much as underdogs as they play two levels below the Met. However, the SCEFL side have seen off the likes of Welling United, AFC Wimbledon and Dulwich Hamlet in previous rounds so this match shouldn't faze them at all. The game is being played at Dulwich Hamlet

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Thursday 4 MayLeague One play-off semi-final first legMillwall v Scunthorpe United @745pm - the Lions put their fans through the wringer on the final day of the season with their rollercoaster 4-3 win over Bristol Rovers but it was enough to see off Southend to claim the final play-off place. In Scunthorpe they face a team who were top for a while and who come into the play-offs on the back of five straight wins. It's going to be tough

National League play-off semi-final first legDagenham & Redbridge v Forest Green Rovers @7pm - the Daggers disappointingly dropped out of the Football League last season but have responded well to life back in non-league. They topped the National League for a while but although fading a bit, still held on for a play-off place. FGR finished just ahead of them and have never played in the EFL despite having been title challengers for a few seasons now

Premier League 2Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester City @7pm - this match is being played at White Hart Lane and has become a benefit match for the family of Spurs youth coach Ugo Ehiogu who sadly died last week. This is also Leicester's last match of the season and they need to win to try and avoid relegation

FA Women's Super League 1Arsenal v Liverpool @730pm - the Hive plays host to this match as the Gunners welcome the league's early leaders who have flown out of the traps with two straight wins

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Premier LeagueWest Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur @8pm - the weekend gets underway with this important derby at the London Stadium. A three-game winless run has left the Hammers still needing a point or two to absolutely guarantee Premier League survival while Spurs need the win to keep their title hopes alive. If they do triumph then the gap between themselves and leaders Chelsea will be temporarily cut to just one point

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Saturday 6 MayLondon Senior Trophy FinalBalham v Glebe @3pm - you can really see how much the season has wound down when a cup final between two 10th-tier teams takes top billing on a Saturday afternoon. Balham have enjoyed a decent debut season at this level, coming third in the CCL Division 1. Glebe, on the other hand, arrive as SCEFL Division 1 champions having finished 12 points ahead of their nearest rivals. Two good teams from parallel leagues - it's a hard one to call. This match is being played at the home of Corinthian Casuals

Middlesex County Football League Premier Division Cup FinalDeportivo Galicia v FC Assyria @745pm - the teams which finished one and two in the league meet in this cup final at Uxbridge's ground. Both sides are interesting in that they represent minority communities and yet with a limited crop of players to pick from have had great seasons

FriendlyPeckham Town v Somaliland @3pm - the hosts are pushing hard for the Kent County League title but have managed to squeeze in this charity match against Somaliland. Entry will be by donation with all proceeds going to good causes

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Sunday 7 May

Premier LeagueArsenal v Manchester United @4pm - defeat to Spurs left Arsenal's already slim hopes of a top-four finish hanging by a thread. Six points adrift with five games to go, this match against the team just above them is absolutely crucial. Consequently, United need the win too to make sure they're not edged out by old foes Manchester City

ChampionshipBrentford v Blackburn Rovers @12pm - the Bees' season comes to an end on Sunday and although a win could see them finish in a very respectable eighth position, it could and probably will also condemn Rovers to relegation. Only one relegation spot still remains to be claimed with Blackburn, Nottingham Forest and Birmingham City all trying to avoid it. Although Blackburn are the lowest ranked at the moment, they are in the best form and only one goal (not point) behind Forest. Therefore, even if they narrowly lose, a heavy defeat for Forest could see them stay up

National League South play-off semi-final second legDartford v Chelmsford City @3pm - the Darts missed the play-offs by five points last season so they'll be pretty pleased to have made it this time round. They've had a solid year, finished third and confirmed their place with games to spare. Aside from Ebbsfleet, they have the best form of anyone in the division so we should get a final between the two of them which would be enormous as they are neighbouring towns - I'm sure Chelmsford will do their best to ruin things though

GET INVOLVED

If you're going to see a game, whether you're a local or a visitor, please let me know what you've been up to. If you're interested in reviewing a ground within the London area for this blog then get in touch. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels.

Got any questions about visiting London? Don't hesitate to ask - be they football or more general travel/touristy queries.

You can contact TLFG through the comments section below or via Facebook, Twitter or even by good old email.

About Me

I'm a QPR fan and follower of Harrow Borough in the Isthmian League.
In 2010 I set up Non-League Day to help promote semi-professional and grassroots football. I'm hoping that TLFG will help provide a similar boost for football clubs around the capital.
I also worked at BBC Sport for 10 years before it relocated to Salford but decided not to go, such was my love of London.